Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Local Highways Panel held on 26 June 2014.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2014 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Progress Schedule attached.

The Chairman asked the Panel if there were any problems with the Scheme Recommendations for 2012/13.

(1)        Item 19 – LEPP001014 – Epping & Theydon Bois

Councillor Church asked who was funding the signs and maintenance.

The Highway Liaison Officer (HLO) advised that she would find out the information and report back to the next meeting.

(2)        Item 31 – LEPP002005 – North Weald & Nazeing

Councillor Bassett reported that this scheme was recorded on the Scheme List as being completed, he advised County Officers that this scheme was not completed and asked if could they find out why and when would it be completed.

The HLO advised that she would check why this scheme had not been completed and would report back to the next meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the HLO would report back to the next meeting with information regarding the above schemes.

Scheme lists updated by division for consideration attached.

Members noted the Scheme Recommendations Schedule for 2013/14. The Chairman advised that meetings had taken place with the Divisional Members and County Officers in the weeks preceding the Panel meeting where the progression of the schemes had been discussed.

Schedule attached.

(1)        The HLO tabled an updated Proposed Scheme List 2014/15, this had been emailed to Members a few days before the meeting. She advised members that all of the 2014/15 Capital budget had now been allocated and that she would update the list as and when schemes progressed.

(2)        Item 22 – LEPP142012 – A121 Church Hill j/w Kings Green, York Hill and Pump Lane.

Councillor Pond raised the issue of the weight limit to be imposed in three locations and stressed that this was an important issue and would like this scheme to be completed before the expected completion date of 1 February 2015.

County Officers advised that this had been noted and informed the Panel that Councillor Bass was aware of this scheme and was taking an interest.

(3)        Item 29 – LEPP148005 – Footpath from Borders Lane to the old course of Rectory Lane, Loughton.

Councillor Pond stated that discussions had taken place with Loughton Town Council (LTC) and they had advised him that they were willing to do the works for this scheme. He stated that he was hopeful this could progress quickly with LTC.

(4)        The Chairman advised that there had been requests for additional works, these were Revenue items and would come from the Revenue budget which was separate to the Capital budget.

Schedule attached.

The Chairman advised the Panel that requests for works had been made from the Revenue budget as follows:

(1)        Palmerston Road, Buckhurst Hill – two speed surveys at a cost of £210 each. The result to be achieved would be the installation of a VAS.

(2)        Westall Road junction with Colebrook Lane, Loughton – a speed survey at a cost of £210. The outcome wanted would be traffic calming.

(3)        Chester Road, Loughton – a speed survey at a cost of £210. The outcome wanted would be traffic calming.

(4)        A121 Church Hill and A1168 Rectory Lane – two pedestrian crossings need road safety audits at a total of £500 for both as they were in close proximity to each other.

(5)        The Street, Sheering – two speed surveys at a cost of £210 each. The outcome wanted would be traffic calming.

(6)        Parklands, Waltham Abbey – a speed survey at a cost of £210. The result to be achieved would be the installation of a VAS sign.

The HLO informed the Panel that the survey results would lead to another cost in implementing the studies.

AGREED:

That a total of £1,970 be spent from the Revenue budget on seven speed surveys and one road safety audit.

Proposed Scheme List 2014/15

Revised Proposed Scheme List 2014/15 attached.

(1)        Councillor McEwen stated that she had three schools in her district who had asked for 20 mph speed limits to be implemented outside each of the schools.

The HLO advised that she would contact the schools and the Parish Council to share the feasibility studies with them and would report back to the next meeting.

(2)        The Chairman advised that he would like a review of the streets around the Tomswood Road area in Chigwell. The streets were being used as a short cut to bypass the traffic and he asked County Officers about the possibility of installing restricted/no entry signs for certain times of the day.

The HLO advised that it was not Essex County Councils policy to erect no entry and restricted time signs but she would look into this and report back at the next meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the HLO would report back at the next meeting.

(3)        K Durrani (Assistant Director (Technical) Neighbourhoods Directorate) asked  County Officers for more information regarding match funding. He explained that Essex County Council had offered to match fund up to £50,000 of any money that Epping Forest District Council made available. This money was to be provided to the LHP to carry out schemes as they prioritised. What was not clear was whether the money ECC was putting up was new money or a reallocation from within the existing LHP budget.

The HLO advised she would find out more information and liaise direct with the Assistant Director.

RESOLVED:

That the HLO would liaise directly with the Assistant Director with information regarding match funding.

(4)        The Chairman advised the Panel of a new proposal regarding Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ). He advised that this would come into the remit of the Local Highways Panel but he would need to see what the proposed details were and if the costs would come from the LHP Budget or a separate budget.

The Chairman hoped he would have more information regarding CPZs for the Panel at the next meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the Chairman would report back at the next meeting regarding Controlled Parking Zones.

It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on Thursday 4 December 2014 at 6.00pm in Committee Room 2 at the Civic Offices, Epping Forest District Council.